The Problematic Guest

It is a tradition in our family to invite our neighbors, the Lifshitz family, for a Yom Tov meal. The previous Yom Tov they were away and couldn't accept our invitation, so we were really pleased when this year they agreed to come for the festive meal on Shavuos morning. There was always such a congenial atmosphere at our table when the Lifshitz family came. After we washed and said the hamotzi, we sat down at the table, but something seemed different. Mr. Lifshitz didn't seem his usual cheerful self. We tried to encourage him to give a dvar Torah, but he just didn't seem to be in the mood. In fact he hardly even joined in the zemiros. "What did we do wrong?" we wondered. We couldn't figure it out. After the meal, which all our other guests seemed to enjoy, we walked the Lifshitz family part of the way home. As we took leave of each other, Mr. Lifshitz commented, "I am sorry I wasn't such good company. After staying up all night studying Torah, I didn't have time to sleep in the morning. If I seemed half asleep, it's because I really was!"

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